INFP Personality (“The Mediator”)

INFP personalities are true idealists, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people and events, searching for ways to make things better. While they may be perceived as calm, reserved, or even shy, INFPs have an inner flame and passion that can truly shine. Comprising just 4% of the population, the risk of feeling misunderstood is unfortunately high for the INFP personality type – but when they find like-minded people to spend their time with, the harmony they feel will be a fountain of joy and inspiration.

Being a part of the Diplomat personality group, INFPs are guided by their principles, rather than by logic (Analysts), excitement (Explorers), or practicality (Sentinels). When deciding how to move forward, they will look to honor, beauty, morality and virtue – INFPs are led by the purity of their intent, not rewards and punishments. People who share the INFP personality type are proud of this quality, and rightly so, but not everyone understands the drive behind these feelings, and it can lead to isolation.

All that is gold does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither; deep roots are not reached by the frost.

J. R. R. Tolkien

We Know What We Are, but Know Not What We May Be

At their best, these qualities enable INFPs to communicate deeply with others, easily speaking in metaphors and parables, and understanding and creating symbols to share their ideas. The strength of this intuitive communication style lends itself well to creative works, and it comes as no surprise that many famous INFPs are poets, writers and actors. Understanding themselves and their place in the world is important to INFPs, and they explore these ideas by projecting themselves into their work.

INFPs have a talent for self-expression, revealing their beauty and their secrets through metaphors and fictional characters.

INFPs’ ability with language doesn’t stop with their native tongue, either – as with most people who share the Diplomat personality types, they are considered gifted when it comes to learning a second (or third!) language. Their gift for communication also lends itself well to INFPs’ desire for harmony, a recurring theme with Diplomats, and helps them to move forward as they find their calling.

Listen to Many People, but Talk to Few

Unlike their Extraverted cousins though, INFPs will focus their attention on just a few people, a single worthy cause – spread too thinly, they’ll run out of energy, and even become dejected and overwhelmed by all the bad in the world that they can’t fix. This is a sad sight for INFPs’ friends, who will come to depend on their rosy outlook.

If they are not careful, INFPs can lose themselves in their quest for good and neglect the day-to-day upkeep that life demands. INFPs often drift into deep thought, enjoying contemplating the hypothetical and the philosophical more than any other personality type. Left unchecked, INFPs may start to lose touch, withdrawing into "hermit mode", and it can take a great deal of energy from their friends or partner to bring them back to the real world.

Luckily, like the flowers in spring, INFP’s affection, creativity, altruism and idealism will always come back, rewarding them and those they love perhaps not with logic and utility, but with a world view that inspires compassion, kindness and beauty wherever they go.

Hooray! I am normal! I am so glad I have taken the test. Thank you so much for offering it to us for free. It is very insightful and spot on. Blessed week to each and every INFP out there.

Nash

4 years ago

I agree with this 95%. But when it comes to hypotheticals and philosophical discussions, not as much so. I usually feel like my ideals are being violated. I think "what-if scenarios" would be more accurate for me. I spend much time just relaxing in my thoughts. Everything else here really resonated with me, though.

Chryspin

4 years ago

Great explanation and for me personally the trully enlightement! I was really suspicious about my "this is spartaaaaa" and "i need to find the quiet place to not see the world for the rest of my life" time periods switching because of possible symptoms of bipolar disorder...nope, I was thinking all wrong - mostly about myself :-) And yes now I understand why I offered so many times the discount for my services (analytics) that I almost died by hunger. Damned altruism :-)

Anacary

4 years ago

It was insane to see how accurately each description described different facets of my personality.. I've always been very interested in fantasy and hypothetical situations.. always asking what-if type of questions, and then to read at the end that INFPs have an aptitude for foreign languages..I was a bit taken aback to be honest, I've been studying and learning languages from a very young age, always interested in translation and obviously always been comfortable alone.. this makes me feel like I now have a piece of myself I never fully understood. I've always felt a sort of striving need to believe in something and often retreat into a 'shell' of sorts where I'll spend months ignoring everyone I know whilst I search for some well-hidden cause, idea, or way of life. I only feel fully satisfied when I can drown out that neediness with distraction usually from the ideals of others or general experimentation. But my lack of confidence and ambition makes social interactions dreadful.. It's like I know I'm a passionate intelligent person but I don't want to go to the trouble to explain my ideals to someone who isn't going to understand them without an extensive lecture that'll throw me off anyway....and like I love people intelligent or not I like the idea of understanding the world as another does but sometimes I feel like I'm not really as affectionate as my closest friends and family members think I am. I think I can be quite cruel to those who don't understand me or my way of thinking, but I think it's been brought out of me as I've started getting older, I realize I don't want to waste my time with unnecessary worry when I'm already worrying myself unnecessarily but then I worry about what kind of person it makes me not to worry... Lol..